Knights powerbrokers have reportedly ticked off plans to part ways with Adam O’Brien at the end of the 2025 season, ending his six-year tenure in the Hunter.
And it’s been prompted by a coaching market that’s about to heat up with several NRL rivals considering axing their mentors, leading Newcastle to move early and land one of the best replacement options.
According to the SMH, only a late-season turn of form will save O’Brien’s job, with Newcastle reportedly set to pay out the final years of his contract.
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O’Brien had a clause triggered in his deal which extended his stay until the end of 2027 after he finished in the top 12 last season, meaning his stay will be cut short by two years.
Assistant coach Blake Green is reportedly considered the leading candidate to take over internally and he’s currently the club’s attacking coach.
Other coaches reportedly in contention include Sharks and Queensland assistant Josh Hannay and Hull KR coach Willie Peters.
“Yesterday afternoon about 2pm I got a text message from someone saying Adam O’Brien is gone at the Newcastle Knights. It will happen this week. The story has now got out,” journalist Buzz Rothfield said on Fox League’s NRL 360.
“They’re now saying Adam O’Brien will be punted from the Knights at the end of the season.
“I’ve spoken to (CEO) Peter Parr, I’ve spoken to Adam O’Brien, they do not know where the story has come from.
“I think there’s legs to the story. I think he’s really struggling to hold onto that job.
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“The problem these clubs have got right now is there’s only a few quality coaches left.
“If they don’t go for Hannay now, if they don’t go for Willie Peters now, they’re worried the Cowboys will beat them, the Titans (will beat them).
“So everyone’s getting nervous about when to strike and get the coach they want.
“The blowtorch is on him. No, I don’t think he’ll be there next year.
“I think the Knights are getting to a situation, they’re starting to think about next year, and if we don’t grab Hannay, if we don’t grab Peters…
“The Titans are looking for a coach, the Cowboys might be looking for a coach, Wests Tigers might be.”
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News Corp journalist Brent Read declared axing O’Brien would be “really harsh” given the difficulties the Knights have faced this season.
“I think he’s made the finals, as you said, he’s made the finals four out of five years,” Read said.
“I think he deserves to start next year.
“They’ve had a horrific injury toll this year. Kalyn (Ponga is) going to end up missing half the season, Fletcher Sharpe’s missed a lot of footy, and I think Adam, given his record in recent seasons he deserves to at least start next season.”
Asked whether the Knights are better now than they were when O’Brien took over, Rothfield added: “I’ll defend him there. Because when he started at the club, it was on the back of about three wooden spoons, so he has done better.
“But he went up, and now he’s on the way back down. This year’s unacceptable.”
